Price could be a serious bullpen weapon for the Red Sox

David Price will go another postseason without getting his first win as a starter, but that doesn't mean he won't play an extremely important role for the Boston Red Sox come October.

The left-hander was activated from the disabled list Thursday and will serve as a reliever for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs, manager John Farrell said.

While having Price in the rotation would have been the ideal scenario for the Red Sox, his health and timetable won't allow it. However, that doesn't mean he won't have the opportunity to make a major impact. Here's how the former Cy Young winner can be a serious weapon for the Red Sox in the playoffs.

Red Sox lack a trusted left hander

As good as the Red Sox bullpen has been this season, it lacks that dominant left-handed reliever that has proven to be highly important come playoff time.

Fernando Abad owns a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 41 1/3 innings this season, though Farrell has hardly used him in high-leverage spots. Robby Scott had an excellent start to the season, but has allowed three runs over his last three appearances and might not even crack the playoff roster.

Price, meanwhile, has held left-handed hitters to a .204/.267/.222 slash line with one extra-base hit, 11 strikeouts, and three walks in 60 plate appearances this season. His ability to neutralize right-handed hitters as well gives Farrell the luxury of having him pitch to multiple batters in an inning.

Insurance policy

Having Price in the bullpen affords Farrell some insurance should Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Doug Fister, Drew Pomeranz, or Rick Porcello falter in the postseason.

Fister is the only member of the rotation who has won a postseason start, and it's not even a guarantee that he'll crack the the playoff rotation. Having Price as a safety net allows Farrell to potentially piggyback a starter, or use a quick trigger finger if things look like they're going wrong early.

Deploying Price as a bridge from a starter to Craig Kimbrel could be a deciding factor in a series.

Avoid the postseason win nonsense

Regardless of whether he will acknowledge it or not, Price's second season in Boston hasn't gone very well. He's been limited to 11 starts due to elbow injuries and was involved in a highly publicized spat with broadcaster Dennis Eckersley, all while his postseason record continues to hang over his head.

While Price won't get that coveted first win as a starter, he also enters the postseason without that additional narrative being used in relief.

Owed $30 million this season, Price will always face scrutiny given his contract, but pitching well out of the 'pen could go a long way in repairing his image.

Multi-inning relievers are huge postseason weapons

Look no further than Andrew Miller's impact with the Cleveland Indians last year if you need proof of the importance of having a dominant multi-inning reliever in the postseason.

While Price won't be deployed like Miller - Farrell will only bring him in to start an inning - having an arm like that has proved critical when trying to win a World Series.

Felix Doubront was highly effective in the role when the Red Sox won it all in 2013, pitching to a 1.93 ERA in relief after starting 27 games during the regular season. Mike Montgomery was essential to the Chicago Cubs' success last October, pitching multiple innings in relief. He was even on the mound to record the final out of Game 7.

Price has dominated in this role in the postseason - albeit back in his 2008 rookie season. Then 22 years old, he posted a 1.61 ERA to go with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)